We are really excited that 6 more schools in Nsawam and Berekuso will start up exploratory clubs in 2016. You can help make sure we have enough materials for science kits for the girls who will be participating in our clubs. From microscopes to magnifying lens to projectors to reference books, these items will help girls and teachers experience STEM as they never have before! THANKS for checking it out this wish list!

We are also taking advantage of the fact that one of our board members will be traveling to Ghana early 2016, so if possible please ensure gifts arrive by December 31st. Happy holidays!

Board member Sheri Moore visited our programs in Ghana and shared the following impressions.

Sheri (left) with Chairperson Professor Esi Awuah

The African Women’s Advocacy Project hosted a wonderful day of celebration in August 2015 in Pokuase, Ghana.

The day celebrated the hard work and success of both the teachers and girls involved in the Girls Science Club initiative. Many impressive and important dignitaries attended this event as well. The girls’ program included examples of their science club activities, testimonials, science experiments, related skits and songs etc. I most admired the initiative shown by the girls, who led the day-long events; they were most impressive!

Significant credit goes to Petrine Addae, country director for AWAP, who organized and planned the day’s events and had the good sense to let the girl’s take charge! You may wish to contact Petrine for additional information and details at info@africanwomenadvocacyproject.org.

It was a resounding success and a special pleasure to be part of this exciting Girl’s Science Club event.

We love this address by First Lady Michelle Obama. Not only is she an advocate for giving girls around the world the quality education they deserve. She absolutely understand that such efforts must go hand-in-hand with creating safe environments in the classroom, school and community.

The First Lady of the US also talked about the shift in thinking that international partners need to adopt – to see families and communities less as barriers but instead as a source of solution. She points out the hypocrisy, or at least the disconnect, between a discourse on community mobilization and empowering local leadership, and what actually happens a lot of times. She acknowledges that involving community is often not the central part of organization’s programmatic work. And it’s risky, as we may not see eye-to-eye with local leaders, donor expectations (and cycles) as well as our instinct to preserve a good reputation, makes it hard to do really difficult work, which is also oftentimes inefficient.

And at the end, hard work is, well, hard, and also resource intensive. And it requires empathic staff who are willing to lead from the side and take cues from local folks. It also takes much patience to work through misunderstandings or simple miscommunications.

We know that having the community’s support behind the girls in every aspect of their lives, not just in science and education, is of utmost importance if these young women are to succeed.

We’ve been patient in building these relationships, in nurturing them, in repairing them as necessary, and we are grateful to begin to see the result of our labor. As the saying goes, If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Excitement, curiosity, confidence from the girls, and encouragement from the adults to stay in school and do great things filled the air with promise at the Durbar, a ceremony and celebration to shine a light on girls’ participation in Science and Technology. The event was reported in Ghana News, Modern Ghana, myjoyonline, and on UTV. Wow!

The African Women Advocacy Project feels extremely fortunate to be welcomed by a community in which girls are encouraged to participate fully and excel in learning, especially in science , technology and engineering; where they are motivated to pursue their dreams, to go far.

This community includes parents, teachers, district directors, the municipal assembly, and the Queen Mother of Pokuase, whose granddaughter is in the science exploratory clubs. It also includes women in science, from our Chairwoman Professor Mrs. Esi Awuah, an accomplished environmental engineer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, and Reverend Joana Koateng,a biochemist and the science coordinator for the Ghana Education Service, as well as college women like Ms. Keziah George from the Creativity Group at the University of Ghana.

Enjoy these photos and click on the links above to learn more about the day’s events. Many thanks again to Country Manager Petrine Addae who orchestrated this exciting day!

The future leaders, scientists and more!

This program would not be possible without our teachers!

Board member Connie Chow expresses gratitude and welcomes the group

Parents at the registration table

A cultural dance preceded the demos

Our girls are multi-talented. In addition to science, they also dance!

Cultural display with dance and drumming

Ga West District Education Director Mr. Budu

He has been a wonderful supporter of the project.

Board member Sheri Moore & Chairperson Prof. Esi Awuah

We shall break the myth of girls in science, math, technology and innovation

The Rangoon Camp JHS led the crowd in song to break down stereotypes

National Science Coordinator Rev. Joana Koranteng

Please step up

The Methodist group invited chairperson Professor Rev. Esi Awuah, and a member of the University of Ghana Creativity group to observe their electric circuit demonstration

So if the salt solution in the rain detector fails to light the bulb...

you understand all you need to do is connect the paper clips directly. #demosaved #wegetelectriccircuits